Programs and Events 2009
America Days in Hämeenlinna
The City of Hämeenlinna hosted the America Days celebration organized by the Hämeenlinna Finnish-American Society on August 14-16. The America Days started with a seminar “The United States - a country with many cultures” at which the U.S. Embassy’s Counselor for Press and Cultural Affairs Nicole Conn spoke on the diversity of American culture; followed by Singer Jyrki69, of the band 69Eyes, who discussed how the culture and music from the United States have influenced his art and music and his recent experiences performing and recording in the U.S. On Saturday, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Michael Butler spoke at the official opening of the Festival, held at the Elomessut Fair. Mr. Butler highlighted important anniversaries taking place in 2009: 90 Years of U.S.–Finnish Diplomatic Relations, the 60th Anniversary of the ASLA-Fulbright Exchange Program, and 200 years since the birth of President Lincoln. Other speakers included Chairman Martin Saarikangas, the League of Finnish-American Societies, Honorary Chair Kaija Hillebrandt, Hämeenlinna Finnish-American Society, and Ms. Sari Louhio-Järvinen, Member of the Hämeenlinna City Board. Speeches were followed by a line dancing performance. Later at the banquet dinner at the Hämeenlinna Castle, Chargé Michael Butler presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Chairman Pauliina Hatunen and Hämeenlinna Finnish-American Society for the great work they had done in arranging the America Days. The next America Days will be in Rautalampi in 2011.